BINALONAN–They are in full support of their kabalayen.

Gov. Amado Espino Jr., members of the provincial board and the Pangasinan Mayors’ League have personally called on the embattled President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in Malacañang Wednesday to reassure their support for her.

Mayor Ramon Guico Jr., president of the Pangasinan Mayors’ League composed of the 44 town and city mayors confirmed to The PUNCH in a phone interview that the Pangasinan contingent of local officials visited the President Wednesday afternoon.

“Wala. Beso-beso lang kami (It’s nothing. We just want to greet her),” said Guico, of the meeting.

Guico, a presidential cousin, added that this is not the first time that they have organized  such a visit and they simply want to strengthen their bond with the President who is currently facing several controversies amid renewed calls for her resignation.

The PUNCH later learned from other sources that the Pangasinan officials presented a manifesto to the President formally manifesting their support.

Among the issues currently hounding Arroyo is the ZTE broadband deal controversy, which involved the son of House Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr., representative of the Fourth District of Pangasinan.

Jose de Venecia III, who’s Amsterdam Holdings Inc. was one of the bidders for the project, has implicated First Gentleman Mike Arroyo in graft and corruption on the deal.

The testimony of the young De Venecia in the Senate hearing is said to have caused tension on the relationship of the President and the elder De Venecia, one of the staunchest allies of the administration.#

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